A/W 14

This year's key winter pieces have been well-documented thus far and the coming season brings with it a delectable selection of dream-like details and otherworldly outwear. It is not a season to perfect minimalism but to embrace the imagination of fairy tales and magical quality of the colder months.

Go forth with your own adaption of a winter’s tale, embellishing without restraint as soft layers call out for decoration and feet deserve more protection than summer overlooked – stop press: knee boots are in.

Some picks from the high street await so don’t wait around too long or else you’ll be left out in the cold… (literally, so you better have a coat). Here are the Lunge's Top 5 Autumn Winter 2014 trends and their high street heroes.

1. A FUR A DAY

Real, faux, purple, neutral, literally whatever, but generally the bigger and cosier the better which is ideal for those colder autumn nights to throw other a little dress. Prada was a highlight for the extrovert where silky slips were covered up by shearlings in contrasting colours and metallic sheens. Not for the faint-hearted. Isabel Marant had cosy pieces that lent to her boho vibe, enabling the smooth transition from the summer to winter wardrobe. Gucci's 60s influence was clear throughout, and this included the array of shaggy coats in pastel and muted tones coats.

Prada AW14

Isabel Marant AW14

Gucci AW14

 

TAKE II: HIGH STREET

 French Connection black gilet reduced from £150 to £45

 

H&M natural white faux fur jacket £34.99

 Pepe Jeans green jacket reduced from £175 to £73

2. EMBROIDERY TALES

The more dreamlike collections tended to focus on embroidered details to set themselves apart, creating pieces to be worn as an outfit's focal point if not as the whole ensemble itself. Ideally, the usual influx of winter blacks and greys will serve as complimentary backdrops to the often over-the-top surreal selections in this style.

The always romantic Valentino stepped up the game with a more folky twist with coats, capes and dresses being stand-out pieces. Both D&G and Mary Katrantzou continued with this delicate theme with Dolce incorporating the darker hues of winter and Mary including sensual sequin for evening.

Valentino AW14

Valentino AW14

Dolce & Gabbana AW14

Mary Katrantzou AW14

TAKE II: HIGH STREET

ASOS dress £95

Boohoo crop top £20

Not technically high street  - but on sale! Vanessa Bruno Athé dress at Matchesfashion.com reduced from £280 to £140

3. (NOT NECESSARILY LITTLE OR RED) RIDING HOOD

The return of the cape was a noted addition to this seasons' shows both at once a comforting blanket of the softest materials and an elegant coverup for a very grown-up feeling monochrome ensemble. Burberry's nod to bohemian Bloomsbury girls was evident with the personalised cape/throws that models sauntered down the catwalk with whilst both Ralph Lauren and Hermes were a lesson in understated luxury with their sumptuous capes adding a air of sophistication to any woman.

Burberry Prorsum AW14

Ralph Lauren AW14

Hermes AW14

 

TAKE II: HIGH STREET

ASOS cape reduced from £42 to £29

Topshop cape £32

Massimo Dutti cape £125

4. THE 60S ARE COMING

As briefly mentioned, the 60s were a key point decade for Gucci among an abundance of other designers. Hemlines were hiked up with chunky boots both at ankle and knee height. The freeing spirit of decade was mirrored in unexpected materials and colour combinations, with Gucci's stunning muted notes shouting of youthful energy. Saint Laurent carried on with it's grunge edge but with spinkles of sparkles and black tights whilst miniskirts and go-go boots really ran the 60s message home. Flippy skirts and polo necks were a common thread throughout Nicolas Ghesquiere's first collection at Louis Vuitton inducing envy over high-shine materials mixed with an array of different skins.

Gucci AW14

Saint Laurent AW14

Louis Vuitton AW14

TAKE II: HIGH STREET

ASOS leather skirt £37

Jigsaw skirt £85

ZARA patent boots £69.99

5. EARTHY TONES

Fashion went back to basic with an emphasis on colours often considered 'boring' or 'ugly' but now embodied with a glamourous ambience. Again, Isabel Marant used a palette focused on neutrals with green bringing a touch of colour and a natural aura. Lanvin used a mix of dark, moody tones focused on the evening woman wearing luxurious textures of fur and leather - highlighted by an envied green trenchcoat. Balmain continued their military theme with deep greens enhancing the tough leathers and utility jackets and studded dresses. 

Isabel Marant AW14

Lanvin AW14

Balmain AW14

TAKE II: HIGH STREET

ASOS coat reduced from £440 to £85

Mango shirt £39.99

ZARA dress £59.99

xxx

Shawtay-shorts

So in the spirit of summer dressing I’ve been whipping out the shorts in South Africa, see Exhibit A:

The shorts are Bitching and Junkfood and the shirt, bag and shoes are ZARAduh (form hence forth any clothing purchased from ZARA will be referred to as ZARAduh, because well, duh).

Yes these shorts are extremely short so make any physical activity quite possible, if rather prone to exposure.

Later on, we paid a trip to the charming vineyard Constantia Utisg for dinner at its renowned restaurant La Colombe.

Poached duck egg!

Add truffle sauce and you're set

The menu is French and portions are small but filling to enjoy the delicate flavours, my kinda food.

Safe to say it was a successful meal.

xxx

Pre-January Sale Sales

I haven’t updated in a while and this can be put down to two things: hideous university work. And I’m lazy. 

Oh well, things have a way of reappearing when you least expect it and I think the last few days of 2013 need some appreciation and attention before the inevitable ‘fresh starts’ of the New Year. Now is the time to forgo any New years resolutions and do exactly the opposite, e.g. eat lots of food and spend lots of money on fun things.

I’m not an expert on the food front (you’d have to ask Higella about that) but I’m much more familiar with the latter.

But you know what’s better than buying things full price? Yes, buying them on sale.

And because the world of retail appears to be speeding up every year you now don’t have to wait until January for the January sales. Great thinking there.

So without further ado here is the very scientific and specific 2013 pick of the pre-sale sales:

We begin at the mothership of online shopping - ASOS

What to buy you say? Well just about EVERYTHING is on sale so go ahead and spend endless hours browsing crop tops and creepers. 

Or you could accept that a good coat or jacket will do the trick for the cold months ahead.

 This blue one will do nicely for Spring too, down from £85 to £42.50:

Or how about finally embracing the coat trend of A/W 2013 - teddy bear coats. This emerald number is a steal down to £45 from £90:

And this one has many materials and leopard print which is always pleasing, was £150 now £90:

What was that? You want to dress like Rihanna and Cara? 

(Really? Like is this a thing people want to do? I never understood the lure of the tracksuit).

Anyway, you can make it look somewhat more slick by heading to Browns.

       Cara and unidentified friends                                         

SEEEEE identical.

The jumper is half price (silly Cara bought too early) to £50.

While you're at it how about pick up a sports-chic top from Les Plus Dores NYC from £70 to £50.

I'll take Van Noten thankyou.

Whilst we're on my Christmas list and you're checking out Harvey Nichols I would very much appreciate this Kara pouch and Juicy Couture beach dress, both 30% off in the 'pre-sale' - it ENDS TODAY (Monday 23rd) so hop to it!

Another sale-heavy website at the moment is Whistles, it's been on a while so there's not a huge amount of sizes left but always worth a look (slash if you're procrastinating).
Highlights include the Slate print pieces, seen here in the top (down to £80) and the trousers (£85), so Stella McCartney A/W '13. 

Without forgetting their ubiquitous camo print of this season, unfortunately most of it is sold out now but there is a pretty camo-esque top still around that I wouldn't mind opening on Christmas day down from £135 to £80:

To go with the above shirt I'd then maybe hop on over to Kurt Geiger, where again everything seems to be on sale, to get some snazzy new pull-ons, because you can never have too many right?

And then, why the hell not, this AMAZING rucksack because it's soft and lovely and I want it very much, was £200 now £119: 

And it essentially turns you into an Olsen twin due to it's similarity with the Row's own slightly most expensive versions.

And, finally, yes I know it's gone too fast, head on over to Net-a-porter because nothing bad ever happens there. 
If you really want to find a bargain then it's clear that you should find the most expensive thing on sale because you'll save thousands, it's basic maths.
I really think this Gucci would look fetching on you:

And you could save over £6000. 
Every little helps.

xxx